The Fresno Summer Orchestra Academy (FOOSA) has returned for its annual summer festival. FOOSA photo

The Fresno Summer Orchestra Academy (FOOSA) has returned for its annual summer festival, gathering aspiring musicians from around the Valley together with nationally and internationally recognized faculty artists for two weeks of intensive musical training and public performances.

The festival, which runs June 13-29, is presented through a collaboration between Fresno State and the Youth Orchestras of Fresno. Participants in the program take part in workshops, master classes, daily lessons and rehearsals, sectionals, student recitals and a concerto competition.

The FOOSA Philharmonic, under the direction of Artistic Director Dr. Thomas Lowenheim, will present two major performances. On Friday, June 26, is a performance at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. On Sunday, June 28 is a show at the the Paul Shaghoian Memorial Concert Hall.

Additional student showcases are scheduled at the Fresno State Concert Hall, with a full list of performances available online.

“Under the baton of Dr. Thomas Loewenheim, artistic director, the FOOSA Philharmonic has emerged as one of the world’s premier training orchestras specializing in large-scale orchestral repertoire,” a release from Fresno State reads. “Known for performing the works of Gustav Mahler, Dmitri Shostakovich and Richard Strauss, the ensemble also explores music from the Baroque, Classical and Contemporary eras while championing new works and innovative programming.”

Organizers describe the FOOSA Philharmonic as a training orchestra focused on large-scale orchestral repertoire. The ensemble includes over 130 musicians.